The Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District means a great deal to me, especially over the eleven years that I have been an active member of it. And yet, there may be aspects of my department that not everyone is fully aware of. I would like to clarify for the community some lesser-known aspects of this robust organization.

First, the notion that we are a volunteer department. While many larger communities, such as Peoria, are staffed by career firefighters, many smaller communities – including Chillicothe, Dunlap, Princeville, Lacon, Henry, and others – are run and operated solely by volunteers. In fact, volunteer departments make up the lifeblood of our country, with approximately 53% of all firefighting personnel in the U.S. being volunteer and 70% of registered fire departments being defined as volunteer (U.S. Fire Administration, 2024). The cost savings provided by volunteer firefighters are tremendous. Collectively, volunteer firefighters save localities across the country an estimated $46.9 billion per year (National Fire Protection Association, 2017). Not a fan of higher taxes? Be involved in your local volunteer fire department.

Another component of our department is that no prior experience is needed to join. The fire department has an entire recruitment program meant to take an ordinary citizen and provide – at no cost! – a crash course in firefighting. Over this multi-week program, recruits attend classroom and hands-on drills over the basics of being a firefighter; such topics include command structure, personal protective equipment (PPE), air packs, fire behavior, tool usage, ladders, hoses, ropes & knots, and water supply, just to name a few. Interested residents need only be 18+ years of age with a high school diploma or GED with the ability to pass a physical examination and criminal background check.

After successful completion of the recruit program, graduates are issued firefighting gear and released to their assigned fire station as probationary firefighters – affectionally called “probies.” Probationary firefighters work alongside seasoned members to gain additional experience and insight, whether within the station or responding to emergency calls in the community. Meeting additional probationary requirements results in the promotion to full firefighter. Despite all of this, the learning process is far from over; quite the contrary – it’s only the beginning!

Firefighters are strongly encouraged to take additional classes to further enhance their knowledge and skillset. Interested members may opt to take classes throughout the state to develop additional skills, such as the basic operations firefighter (BOF), vehicle machinery operator (VMO), fire apparatus engineer (FAE), emergency medical technician (EMT), or hazardous materials (HazMat) operations courses. Specialty roles may also be pursued, based on interest; some topics include trench rescue, fire inspector, officer development, instructor, structural collapse, and confined space.

Still, another aspect of our department is our varied background. From our roster, you would encounter businessmen and tradesmen, TV show producer and college professor, military veterans and cooks, pastor and retirees. Yet roles in the organization are equally varied and extend far beyond climbing ladders or hauling hoses. We are always looking for new individuals to join our ranks, bringing along their own backgrounds and talents. For example, mechanics might find that their expertise is respected when fire trucks are checked over; hospital personnel, too, could apply their medical backgrounds to help their neighbors amid medical emergencies.

Volunteering on the fire department will not make you a millionaire, but it will make you rich in other ways. You will acquire new skills, bolster your resume, and learn to function as a team to overcome adversity. If you’re looking for a new career path or sense of purpose by volunteering, and want to meet an amazing collection of men and women from different walks of life united in the common goal of serving friends and neighbors in your very own community, consider becoming a volunteer firefighter. Oh, and one last thing – our hats are pretty cool, too.